Dear Nell -Of course it's sad to be an o. m. [old maid] - but if one must, it's sweet of one's friends to make it dear o. m! [winking smiley face] Next time I owe you $3.03 I'll just write the even sum! - Nevertheless - in spite of slams - I thank you.
I have a new pen and all the time it makes me think of Clementine, "blowing bubbles soft and fine" - and some of the bubbles mean black drops of woe. I lost my well-beloved ancient and honorable on the Boston trip. This one just blew another - pff!
Now I think again - of course it would be particularly mean from you who aren't - to call me a doomed o. m - Anyhow I'm not a departed o.m - nor a drooping o.m. - nor, I hope, a driveling o.m.